Achieving robust superomniphobic surfaces capable of repelling both high- and low-surface-tension liquids (e.g., water, organic solvents) under dynamic conditions remains a challenge. Nature-inspired structures, such as T-shaped or hierarchical architectures, advance static repellency but often fail under high-speed impacts, as minimized solid fractions reduce capillary pressure and allow liquid penetration. Here, we present a flexible, springtail-inspired superomniphobic surface with an optimized solid fraction (∼0.15) that unites strong static repellency with exceptional dynamic resistance. The surface sustains organic droplet shattering at impact velocities up to 4.4 m s –1 , the highest reported for artificial superomniphobic surfaces. Under extreme impacts, droplets undergo hierarchical-structure-induced fragmentation and rapid film rupture, enabling retraction-free rebound and an ∼59% reduction in contact time. This behavior reproduces the shattering dynamics of natural organisms and, in certain regimes, exceeds natural benchmarks. Our findings establish design principles for mechanically adaptive, impact-resilient superomniphobic surfaces with potential applications in protective coatings and self-cleaning materials.
Ahn et al. (2026) studied this question.